Hemming attachment for sewing machines



Dec. 16, P ENQS HEMMING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 15,1950 075522 PEI/10s MUM/way,

Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEMMING ATTACHMENTFOR SEWING MACHINES J ohn-P. Enos, Union, N. J assignor to The SingerManufacturing Company, Elizabeth, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Aplication November 15, 1950, Serial No. 1.95591 9 Claims.

This invention relates to'hemming attachments for sewing machines andmore particularly to a narrow-hem forming attachment of the type havinga pair of complem'ental spiral scroll-members for hem-folding the marginof a necktie or handkerchief and directing the hem-fielded margin to theneedle of a sewing machine.

The present prevalent use of relativelystifi or wiry fabrics in themanufacture of neckties-presents a diificult problemin the production ofnarrow uniform hems .alon the edge of the .material. This type of,fabric bein quite stiff or wiry does not readily crease or fold and, asa consequence, it tends .to slip'laterally out of the usual type ofhemmer employed for producing necktie hems. Thus, an improperlyfolded'hem is presented to the stitching instrumentalities of a sewingmachine with the result that the marginal edge of the fabric is exposedrather than being hidden from view within the body of the hem.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide.a scroll hemmer with means for insuring :that the work to be hemmedwill not shift laterallyof the unit during itspassagelongitudinally.therethrough.

The foregoing, and other objects and advantages in view, together withmeans whereby the same may be carriedinto effect, will thus beunderstood from the following description of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a scroll hemmer embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 representsa top plan view of the scroll hemmer illustrated inFil.

Fig.3 represents a top plan view of the base plate of the presentattachment.

Fig. 4 represents a top plan view of the primary scrollmember.

Fig. 5' represents a top plan view .of the .secondary scroll member.

Fig. 6 represents a top plan-viewof an auxiliary armmember,

Fig. 7 represents a right handside View of the auxiliary armshowninFigffi.

Fig. 8 represents afront elevation view taken substantially along the'linei8 8 f .2, and

illustrating "the manner in'which the work pm- I gresses through thehemmer unit.

Fig. 9 represents a vertical sectional view through the workas itprogresses'through the exit end of-the present unit.

Fi 10 represents a vertical sectional view through the work as itprogresses 'through'the usualtype of hemmer, and it illustrates themanner in which a-stififabric tends to resist creasing or folding.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the hemming attachmentcomprises a'base-plate Ill fitted at one end with the usual dependingfastening screw H which is adapted to project through a suitable holeinthe bed-plate of a conventional sewing machine and have threaded uponit a clamping nut {not shown) for holding the hemmer in operativeposition. At its other end, the base-plate I0 is formed with adownturned lip l2 which is adapted to extend into a locating hole in theusual sewing machine throatplate'to assist in maintaining the-hemmer inproper alignment withthe sewing'mac'hine stitching devices.

Adjustably-mounted on the base-plate I0 is the shank 13 of a primaryscroll member I4; the shank l3 being formed with an elongated'hole l5through which extends a clamping screw l6 threaded into a reinforcedportion I! of the baseplate Ill. The elongated hole [5 and the clampingscrew 5 provide means for permitting adjustment of the hemmer toward andfrom the stitching devices of a sewing machine. At its rear end, theshank I3 is preferably bent down wardly, as at 18, to restsubstantially, when not in use, upon the usual cloth-plate of the sewingmachine to provide an inclined guiding surface facilitating theintroduction of work into the mouth of the hemmer. Substantially midwayof its length the primary scroll-membe I4 is formed with a lateralextension l9 providing a fulcrum support for the overlying shank 20 of asecondary scroll member 2 j spiraled in conformity with the primaryscroll-member [4 to define a fabric passageway 22 (see Fig. 1) extendingfrom the receiving end or mouth 23 to the delivery end 24 of theattachment.

It is to be particularly noted that the free end portions of each of theprimary and secondary scroll hemmers is formed asa substantially flattongue l4 or "21' and it will be observed particularly from Fig. 8 thatthese tongues are disposed one above the other in substantially parallelrelation.

For securing the secondary scroll member 21 to the primary scroll memberI 4, a screw 25 is provided which passes through an aperture 26 formedin theshank-member 2B of the primary scroll so as to be threaded into anaperture 21 formed within the shank portion IQ of ,the ,primar-y scrollM. *It is to be particularly noted that the secondary scroll aperture 26is elongated in a lateral direction so as to permit the secondary scrollmember to be bodily shifted laterally of the primary scroll member l4with the result that the capacity of the hemmer unit is varied. In otherwords, this relative shifting of the two scroll members results in achange of the capacity or size of the fabric passageway defined by thetwo scroll members l4 and 2|. The screw 25, however, when securedproperly within the threaded aperture 21, effectively locks the primaryand secondary scroll members in any one of a plurality of selectedpositions.

Pivotally mounted upon the scroll member shank 20 by means of a screw 28is a fiat base portion 29 of an auxiliary support of which the armportion 30 extends from the base 29 to terminate in a fiat fingerelement 3| which normally underlies the tips or tongues l4 and 2| of thescrolls so as to bias the two scroll tongues together. As isparticularly noted in Figs. 6 and 7, the right-hand edge portion of thefinger 3| is bent upwardly, as at 32, thereby to form an abutment memberwhich functions to engage the folded edge of the work-piece for thepurpose of preventing the work from shifting laterally relative to thescroll tongues. The work is further prevented from shifting laterallyrelative to the scrolls by reason of the fact that the scroll tonguesare biased together by the finger member 3|. For pivotally securing theauxiliary member to the shank portion 20 of the secondary scroll 2|, thescrew 28 passes through an aperture 33 formed in the auxiliary memberand is threadedly received within an aperture 34 formed within athickened portion of the secondary scroll-member shank 20. Clearly, thispivot screw permits the arm member 30 to swing about the screw or stud28 so that the finger and abutment elements 3| and 32 may be swung toand from the scroll tongues. Upon tighteningthe screw 28 the auxiliarymember or arm 30 will be locked in any one of a plurality of selectivepositions. Formed upon the base portion of the auxiliary member is anupstanding lip or arm 35 which functions as a finger-piece to permit theoperator to swing the arm30 with facility whenever the screw 28 isloose.

Referring particularly to Fig. 8, it will be observed that the fingerelement 3| of the auxiliary arm is normally disposed below the tongueelements of the primary and secondary scroll members soas to bias thesetwo tongues together thereby to prevent the selvedge edge portion 36 ofthe work from shifting laterally between the two opposing tongueportions. It will also be observed that the abutment member 32 extendsadjacent the corresponding edge portions of the two tongues so as toengage the work and force the same into intimate contact with the tongueelements to the end that the work is prevented from shifting laterallyaway from the opposed tongue elements. As hereinabove noted, experiencehas indicated that wiry fabrics are difficult to hem for the reason thatsuch fabrics are not readily folded or creased, and as a consequencethey tend to shift out from between the tongues of the usual folder. Thefinger and abutment elements 3| and 32 of the present device, however,overcome this tendency of such stiff materials. Still referring to Fig.8, it will be observed that the free end portion of the arm 30 is shapedsubstantially as an L with the above noted finger element 3| forming thelower or horizontal limb of the L while the other abutment member 32forms the vertical limb of such L. It is also to be understood that thearm 30 is in the form of a leaf-spring of which the end portion carriesthe elements 3| and 32 with the element 3| being biased normallyupwardly against the free end portion or tongue of the primary scroll [4which, in turn, is biased upwardly against the corresponding tongue ofthe secondary scroll member 2|. Experimentation has indicated thateither of the finger or abutment elements 3| and 32, if used separatelyin conjunction with a hemmer of the present type, has a beneficialefiect so far as the production of hem work is concerned. However,experience also indicates that the combination of the finger andabutment elements 3| and 32 working in concert with such a bindermaterially increases the beneficial results obtained.

In Fig. 9 there is illustrated a vertical sectional view through thework as it passes longitudinally through the present hemmer, and it willbe observed that the selvedge edge portion 36 of the work is maintaineddirectly within the body portion of the hem so that as a needle 31penetrates the work it will effectively puncture both the body portionof the work as well as the marginal portion and the bottom portion ofthe hem. Thus, a seam will be properly secured within all layers of thehem.

Referring now to Fig. 10, there is illustrated a vertical sectional viewthrough a piece of work as it progresses longitudinally through theusual type of hemmer, and it is to be observed that the selvedge ormarginal edge portion 36 of this work hasmoved laterally of the hemmerto a degree such that it would be impossible for the needle 31 topenetrate such portion andvas a consequence an improper or faulty hemwould be produced. By employing, however, the present invention whichcomprises the auxiliary arm 30, together with its finger and abutmentelements 3| and 32 in conjunction with a scroll hemmer of the presenttype, it is found that the abutment and finger elements effectivelyprevent a stiff or wiry fabric from shifting laterally of the scrollmembers to the end that a proper hem is formed.

Being carried by the secondary scroll-member 20, the arm 30 partakes ofany adjustments effected of the member 20, thus maintaining the presetrelationship of the finger-elements 3|, 32 with respect to thehemmer-scrolls. However, the arm 30 may be adjusted, independently ofthe member 20 to vary the effective position of the elements 3| 32.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim hereinis:

1. A hemming attachment for sewing machines comprising, a longitudinallyspiraled primary scroll-member having its free end portion formed as asubstantially fiat elongated tongue, a longitudinally spiraled secondaryscroll-member complemental to said primary scroll-member in defining apassageway therebetween and having its free end portion formed as'asubstantially fiat elongated tongue which is disposed adjacent andsubstantially in parallelism with the first mentioned tongue, and anabutment element disposed adjacent two corresponding side edges of andbridging the passageway defined between said two tongues for engagingthe work material and forcing the same to wrap intimately about said twoside edges. I

2. A hemming attachment for sewing machines comprising, a base-plate, alongitudinally spiraled primary scroll-member supported by saidbaseplateand having its free end portion formed as 5 "a {substantiallyfiat elongated tongue, '2, longitudinally spiraled secondaryscroll-member supported by said baselate in comp1ementa1 re1ationwith-said primary scroll-member so as to define a passagewaytherebetween and having its free end portion formed as a substantiallyflat elongated tongue which is disposed adjacent and substantially inparallelism with the first mentioned tongue, an abutment elementdisposed adjacent two corresponding side edges of and bridging thepassageway defined between said two tongues for engaging the workmaterial and forcing the same to wrap intimately about said two sideedges, and an arm in the form of 'a le'af spring extending alongside ofsaid scroll-members with one end portion thereof carrying said abutmentelement and with its other end supported by said base-plate.

3. A hemming attachment for sewing machines comprising, a, base-plate, alongitudinally spiraled primary scroll-member supported by saidbaseplate and having its free end portion formed as a substantially fiatelongated tongue, a longitudinally spiraled secondary scroll-membersupported by said base-plate in complemental relation with said primaryscroll-member so as to define a passageway therebetween and having itsfree end portion formed as a substantially flat elongated tongue whichis disposed adjacent and substantially in parallelism with the firstmentioned tongue, a finger element disposed adjacent the fiat face ofone of said tongues and normally engaging such surface for biasing suchtongue toward the other, an abutment element disposed adjacent twocorresponding side edges of and bridging the passageway defined betweensaid two tongues for engaging the work material and forcing the same towrap intimately about said two side edges, and an arm extendingalongside of said two scroll-members and having its one end portioncarrying said finger and abutment elements and having its other endsupported by said base-plate.

4. A hemming attachment for sewing machines comprising, a base-plate, alongitudinally spiraled primary scroll-member supported by saidbaseplate and having its free end portion formed as a substantially fiatelongated tongue, a longitudinally spiraled secondary scroll-membersupported by said base-plate in complemental relation with said primaryscroll-member so as to define a passageway therebetween and having itsfree end portion formed. as a substantially fiat elongated tongue whichis disposed adjacent and substantially in parallelism with the firstmentioned tongue, a substantially L-shaped member disposed adjacent saidtwo tongues with one limb of the member extending beneath one tongue andnormally biasing such tongue toward the other tongue and with its otherlimb disposed adjacent two corresponding edge portions of said twotongues for engaging the work material and forcing the same to wrapintimately about said two side edges, and an arm having one end carryingsaid L-shaped member and its other end supported by said base-plate.

5. A hemming attachment for sewing machines comprising, a base-plate, alongitudinally spiraled primary scroll-member supported by saidbaseplate and having its free end portion formed as a substantially fiatelongated tongue, at longitudinally spiraled secondary scroll-membersupported by said base-plate in complemental relation with said primaryscroll-member so as to define a passageway therebetween and having itsfree end portion formed as a substantially fiat elongated tongue whichis disposed adjacent and substantially in parallelism with the firstmentioned tongue, a substantially L-shaped member disposed adjacent saidtwo tongues with one limb forcing the same to wrap intimately about saidtwo side edges, an arm in the form of aleaf spring having one endcarrying said 'L-shaped member and its otherendsupported'by-saidbaseplate, and pivot means interposed between saidarm and said base-plate so that said L -shaped member can be swung awayfrom said tongues.

6. A hemming attachment for sewing machines comprising, a longitudinallyspiraled primary scroll-member having its free end portion formed as asubstantially fiat elongated tongue, a longitudinally spiraled secondaryscroll-member complemental to said primary scroll-member in defining apassageway therebetween and having its free end portion formed as asubstantially fiat elongated tongue which is disposed adjacent andsubstantially in parallelism with the first mentioned tongue, and afinger element disposed adjacent the free end portion of said twoscrollmembers and engaging the fiat face of one of said tongues forbiasing such tongue toward the other.

7. A hemmin attachment for sewing machines comprising, a base-plate, alongitudinally spiraled primary scroll-member supported by saidbaseplate and having its free end portion formed as a substantially flatelongated tongue, a longitudinally spiraled secondary scroll-membersupported by said base-plate and complemental to said primaryscroll-member in defining a passageway therebetween and having its freeend portion formed as a substantially flat elongated tongue which isdisposed adjacent and substantially in parallelism with the firstmentioned tongue, at finger element disposed adjacent the free endportion of said two scroll-members and engaging the fiat face of one ofsaid tongues for biasing such tongue toward the other, and an arm havingone end carrying said finger and its other end supported by saidbase-plate.

8. A hemming attachment for sewing machines comprising, a base-plate, alongitudinally spiraled primary scroll-member supported by saidbaseplate and having its free end portion formed as a substantially fiatelongated tongue, a longitudinally spiraled secondary scroll-membersupported by said base-plate and complemental to said primaryscroll-member in defining a passageway therebetween and having its freeend portion formed as a substantially fiat elongated tongue which isdisposed adjacent and substantially in parallelism with the firstmentioned tongue, a finger element disposed adjacent the free endportion of said two scroll-members and engaging the fiat face of one ofsaid tongues for biasing such tongue toward the other, an arm in theform of an elongated fiat spring disposed at one side of said twoscroll-members with one end portion thereof supported by said base-plateand with its other end carrying said finger, and pivot means interposedbetween said base-plate and said arm so that said finger may be shiftedaway from the free end portions of said scrollmembers.

9. A hemming attachment for sewing machines comprising, a longitudinallyspiraled primary scroll-member having its free end portion formed as asubstantially fiat elongated tongue, a longitudinally spiraled secondaryscroll-member complemental to said primary scroll-member in defining apassageway therebetween and having its free end portion formed as asubstantially fiat elongated tongue which is disposed adjacent andsubstantially in parallelism with the first mentioned' tongue, a fingerelement disposed adjacent the free end portions of said twoscrollmembers and engaging the fiat face of one of said tongues forbiasing such tongue toward the other, and an abutment element disposedadjacent two corresponding side edges of and bridging the passagewaydefined between said two tongues for engaging the work material andforcing the same to wrap intimately about said two side edges.

JOHN P. ENOS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 970,474 De Voe Sept. 20, 19102,063,833 Ackerman Dec. 8, 1936 2,138,633 Greenfield et a1 Nov. 29, 193815 2,281,275 Enos Apr. 28, 1942 2,492,931 Enos Dec. 27, 1949

